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Acute promyelocytic leukemia is an aggressive type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow.[1][2] It is usually marked by a translocation of chromosomes 15 and 17.[2] Acute promyelocytic leukemia usually occurs in middle-aged adults. Symptoms may include both bleeding and forming blood clots.[1]

Last updated: 6/23/2011

How many people are affected by acute promyelocytic leukemia?

Acute promyelocytic leukemia accounts for 5-15% of all adult leukemias. There are approximately 30,800 cases of acute leukemia diagnosed yearly; about 1000 of these are acute promyelocytic leukemia.[3]